DEDHAM
Maine lost a true gentleman on Dec. 18, 2019. Joseph H. Young Sr., 96, passed peacefully at home in Dedham. He was born Feb. 15, 1923, in Ellsworth, the son of Herbert L. Young and Frances E. (Greenan) Young. Joe was raised in Ellsworth during the winters and in Lamoine during the other seasons. He was a graduate of Ellsworth High School Class of ’41. In 1954, he married Jo-Anne (Bohn) and began a 65-year journey creating countless memories and raising a family, with his loving life partner.
Due to a childhood bout with polio, he was unable to serve in the armed forces during WWII. Consequently, he directed his wartime efforts to shipbuilding with his father in South Portland.
For much of Joe’s life, he worked as an insurance adjustor. First, he worked for GAB, General Adjustment Bureau, for 22 years. Joe then started his own business, Down East Adjustors and Appraisers, based in Ellsworth and continued to adjust insurance until his retirement at the age of 86. It’s likely that if you had any kind of insurance loss in eastern Maine, Joe was the man who adjusted your loss. His line of work provided him the opportunity to know many people in eastern Maine, as well as all the great coffee shops along the way. He was widely known for his wonderful sense of humor and reaching out to help those who had suffered losses that he was adjusting.
Joe served as a member of the Ellsworth School Board. He served as a volunteer member of the Ellsworth Fire Department. He was affiliated with various insurance organizations until his retirement.
Growing up and loving Lamoine was an experience that Joe often spoke about to his large family. Digging clams, watching ships being loaded at the dock or hanging out with his friend, Howard Haslam, Joe enjoyed relating his Lamoine days. Joe enjoyed simple things: family cookouts, buying a new tool, going dancing and going on trips with friends, Alice and Carroll, or his favorite, mowing the lawn.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Herbert L. Young and Frances (Greenan) Young; brother, John Young, and sister, Marion Dunn Holmes. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jo-Anne (Bohn) Young; sons, Joseph H. Young Jr. (Pam), Thomas Young (Beth), Donna Elliot, Frank “Mike” Young (Wendy), Patrick Young (Cindy), Peter Young (Kristen), and Beth Young Hardison (Mark); 20 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joe was loved by many and friends to all who came across his path. He could light up a room with a simple smile and hello. Special thanks to Hospice of Hancock County, and the physical and occupational therapists that provided home care during his final years.
Please join us in celebrating Joseph Young Sr.’s life on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at 1 p.m., in the fellowship hall at Maine Baptist Church, 867 Bangor Road, Ellsworth. Please come and share a happy memory of Joe with us. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lamoine Volunteer Fire Department, 606 Douglas Hwy., Lamoine, ME 04605.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.